John Stoddard Cancer Center
1221 Pleasant Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
p: 515-241-4141
Surgery
Surgery is the oldest form of cancer treatment and is still used extensively today. An estimated 60 percent of cancer patients will undergo surgery during their cancer journey.
In many cancers, including rare ones, surgical removal of the tumor is still the primary treatment. Cancer surgeries are done by general surgeons or surgeons who specialize in cancer related surgeries.
Surgery, as a cancer treatment, may be used for many purposes; as a:
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curative treatment,
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diagnostic treatment (removal of tissue samples for testing and evaluation),
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palliative treatment (to relieve discomfort and improve quality of life),
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preventive treatment (removal of tissue that does not yet contain cancer cells but has a high risk of turning cancerous),
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restorative treatment (to repair or replace damaged or destroyed areas of the body), or
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supportive treatment (surgical placement of a device to aid in the delivery of medications).
da Vinci® Prostatectomy
Referred to by many as robotic surgery for prostate cancer or robotic prostatectomy, da Vinci® Prostatectomy is a minimally invasive surgery that allows a surgeon to use a special console with hand and foot controls to manipulate tiny robotic arms and an endoscope (a 3-D camera eye) to perform intricate surgical procedures that are beyond the current limitation of human performance. The da Vinci® translates the surgeon's natural hand, wrist and finger movements at the control console into corresponding micro-movements of the instrument tips, which are positioned inside the patient through small incisions. Wide ranges of instruments are available to perform different types of procedures. Click on the link below to learn more about da Vinci® Prostatectomy or to find da Vinci® trained surgeon in the area.
Prostate Surgery with da Vinci®